273 4 barrel rare?

[Drache]

I was looking around on ebay for complete engines and came across a 273 4 barrel (1965/66) with a price of $1500 USD....

The ad states:

This is a rare 273 4 barrel LA engine. These engines were introduced in 1965 as a high performance option. These 235 HP engines are becoming very scarce.

Is this true or is the seller blowing smoke?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1965-1966-Dart-Barracuda-Charger-273-Engine-4-Barrel-HP_W0QQitemZ200209129620QQihZ010QQcategoryZ140684QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Ghoste]

They are rarer than a lot of other Chrysler engines so he isn't completely off his nut although I'm not sure they're 1500 dollars rare.  I guess if you were doing a concours resto on an early Formula S or something.  In typical Mopar fashion, the 273 came along a little bit late.  It was great engine and an ideal ponycar powerplant to compete against 289 Mustangs but the Mustang as you know was a huge sales leader out of the gate and Mopar was putting nearly all of it's focus on NASCAR and Hemi's.  The 273 kind of became forgotten and when the 340 arrived by 68 that was it for the older but smaller brother.
I remember in the late 70's and early 80's scouring wrecking yards to pull the adjustable valvetrain out of 273's and leaving the rest behind as scrap.

[471_Magnum]

They are cool little motors. I have an acquaintence with a 65 Dart Convertible. 273 hipo four speed with A/C.

Up until recently, he drove it all over the country.

Dang thing sounds wicked through the single exhaust.

[twenty mike mike]

I can remember when you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a 273 4V. Guess that all depends where you lived at the time. Are they getting scarce? Yup, especially because a lot of people yanked them out and replaced them with the better 340. For 1500 bucks, it ought to be together and running.

[craigandlynda]

i had a 273 in 66 barracuda...it was a tight little motor, ran fine, easy to tune, and actually good on gas...the 4 bbl option, called the "PowerPak" option, was a nifty little screamer, and ran good in the A bodies...however, heads and intake  combination had some interchange limitatations, due to angled bolt holes...if you find a motor like this, its highest and best use would be to restore an early formula s barracuda...if you were doing such, it would certainly be worth $1500 for a complete motor, if rebuildable...

[CharcoalCharger]

I have a 273 4bbl. in my '67 Dart GT.  It is the original engine and it runs pretty damn well.  Of course, it isn't as quick as my 340 Dart Sport  .  It is pretty good on gas as craigandlynda  has stated.  The '67 I call my "Pappy Car" for 2 reasons.  First because my grandfather owned it, and second it has all the original trim, such as the deluxe wheel covers.  It is sporty, without all the flash.  I think the 273s may be becoming more scarce as people drop in other small blocks or even big blocks.  It was nice to take mine to Carlisle even 6 or 7 years ago and be one of the only ones with a 273 4 bbl.  It is the only 273 I know of in my area.   

[A383Wing]

I have had a couple over the years....still got a 65 block sitting in the garage....good little motors...

Bryan  (and 65 & earlier 273's are different than the 66 & up engines...heads & intake ports & bolts are different)